HOLYOKE — There's a new hummus and falafel cart in town, thanks to the efforts of John Grossman, a Newton native who for ten years has called Holyoke home.

Holyoke Hummus was up and running Thursday evening outside the Paper City Brewery on Cabot Street, where a beer tasting was in progress inside. It was the cart's inauguration, as the outfit had just that day been granted a seal of approval from the city's health department.

"Where I grew up, in Newton, there's lots of ethnic food," said Grossman. "I've been surprised how many people I've talked to in Holyoke who don't know what a falafel is. I'm just happy to be adding to the diversity of food choices here."

Grossman mused upon the way many immigrant populations have made their way in America — by introducing and peddling tasty new foods, often using street carts and food trucks.

"Maybe I'm just that Jewish guy bringing his immigrant food to Holyoke," said Grossman with a smile. He said falafel is a common street food all over the world, and that he's proud to purvey his version of the middle-eastern staple here in the Valley.

The falafel pita sandwiches and platters are produced from a specially-modified hotdog stand that cost about $4,000 to set up, said Grossman. He said he crowd-sourced the initial investment using an Indiegogo campaign. The hummus company's commercial kitchen is located in the Gateway City Arts building on Race Street.

Grossman, married with a new baby at home, isn't giving up his day job quite yet. He said he's happy to work at EcoBuilding Bargains in Springfield, a company which sells recycled building materials.